The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-30
A NEW RACE-TRACK PROJECT
Organization of Driving Association
With a Capital Stock of $4,000.
New Track Will Be Made Northeast of the
City in Time for Some Fine Racing
Next Summer.

The racing association. as projected by num-
Der of gentlemen last spring, met with but little
encouragement after it's first meeting. 1t was
not on account of want of interest among few
that the enterprise dragged, but because those
few were unable 10 procure the money needed
by promiscuous subscriptions at the outset 1t
is thought the financial feature was not well
planned as it did not receive substantial re-
Spouse from the who could subscribe
largely, although they favored the general idea
of having irst-ciass race track constructed
near the city. The projectors ceased their eff
forts, but other gentlemen propose to have the
track made. if possible, in time for next seasons
racing. They have the encouragement of horse
men in the enterprise and find that the latter
promise substantial assistance
An inducement in forwarding the enterprise
to an early fulfllment is the fact that for this
section of the country there are only two train
ing tracks, one at Terre Haute and the other at
Chicago. Both are, the trainers say. objection
able, the first on account of the smallness OF the
city, and the other because its location subjects
the horses to biting winter winds. They prefer
Indianapolis because it affords pleasant winter
home, and the cold and winds are not too I'M
even for the horses. Besides these conditions
the citys centra! location and the readiness
with which the points If every racing circuit
North, South, East and West--can be reached. is
considered in its favor. It is ascertained that
horses trained in the South do not altogether
meet expectations when brought on the tracks
east of the Ohio river, therefore the position of
Indianapolis, in being neither too far north or
south to acquire the objections urged against
training in those parts of the country is counted
as favorable in all things for desirable winter
ing point
With these considerations to urge them in the
enterprise, DIR. Charles E. Wright and Slough
ton ]. Fletcher went to work individually In
awakening the interest OF horse fanciers and
owners. They confined their solicitations to
gentlemen who could afford and were willing to
subscribe 81 ,000 each to the stock list. 1t was
proposed to get $50. 900 by this means. and
then open list for individual subscriptions OF
one-haf that amount. 1t was their plan when
all the $500 men secured, if the stock sub
scription was not altogether made up, the bal
ance should be disposed of in amounts to suit
the demand Within the ten days $50, GOO OF
the first amount required was raised, and among
those subscribing were the two gentlemen
named and Allen NJ. Fletcher, F. NJ Church
man. Ferd Mayer, John F. Miller. George
Pfngst. George Branham, W. III. Coleman,
Moses g. McLain, Jno. c. New, w m. r lJanls
and Z. s Willard.
having been made. the subscribers met last
night at the Grand Hotel TO take steps towards
the Incorporation of the company. Articles to
that END will be filed to-day, the name of this
organization being the Indianapolis Driving
CLUB The capital stock was placed at $4,000.
The directors chosen j. f. Pratt. G. ).
Willard and S. j. Fletcher for three years. A.
c. Harris. George F. Branham and Jno. C. New
for two. and Horace Wood, NJ. OConnor and A.
NJ. Fletcher for one year. The officers are to
be elected at an early date
The company will be confined to representa-
tive men. and from it are to be excluded those
who may be termed professional sporting charac
ters. It has option on fifty acres of land near
the Watt Hasselman farm. extending from the
Central avenue line to Meridian street. This
tract will probably be secured, and upon it will
be constructed mile track after plans that it
country. In connection with it a first-class club
house will be erected, and it is conte plated in
the other Improvements to leave nothing us eess
necessary to make the property m Ost deslrabte
for racing and training purposes The Louisville,
New Albany & Chicago Railway Company has
decided, in the event the track is built which
is to be regarded certainty,
to run a short line connecting the grounds with
the Monon route. The Dudley cable company
is considering the proposition to extend its
route in that direction and make the growing
suburb of Mapleton the northern terminus.
This suburb is improving rapidly that il bids
fair to become shortly place of prominence for
out-of- to wn homes. It's friends say 1t will rival
Woodri IF Place for the attractiveness of its resi-
dences and beauty of location.